For comics shipping 07.27.11 or The Week Cowboys Wrangled Up Some Aliens. Every week I’ll check Diamond’s shipping list to see what you absolutely, positively need to spend all your hard earned cash on at the Local Comic Shop.

MARVEL COMICS

Amazing Spider-Man #666 – $3.99

This issue is the prelude to “Spider-Island,” which has me intrigued for a number of reasons. First, I haven’t regularly read a Spidey story in quite a while, and this feels like a good time to jump back on board with the book. Secondly, I hear Dan Slott has been doing some really great work on the book, and this storyline where the people of NYC get Spider-Man’s powers has piqued my interest. Add in art by Humberto Ramos, and this seems like an absolute “can’t miss.”

Captain America and Bucky #620 – $2.99

Chris Samnee doing the interiors on a Captain America comic should be more than enough incentive for you to pick this up. Fortunately, you’ll also be blessed with a story from Ed Brubaker and new co-writer Marc Andreyko. This issue also presents a strong new starting point as the book changes format, and will now be about Captain America and Bucky adventures during World War II.

Criminal: Last of the Innocent #2 – $3.50

If anyone out there is doing crime comics better than Brubaker and Phillips, I have yet to see it. This book is consistently one of the best comics being published by any company, and the format suits the genre just perfectly. The days when a new issue of Criminal arrives are much like I imagine the days to be when you bring home a newborn child. There’s excitement at first, but it’s quickly replaced by fear, unknowing, and a desire to kill everyone else in the room.

ONI PRESS

The Sixth Gun #13 – $3.99

First, congrats to Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt, and Oni Press for this comic being picked up by SyFy to be made into a TV series. I’ve been praising this book for a little over a year now, and I’m glad the rest of the world is finally catching up. This month, our faithful heroes battle demonic train robbers and a mummy. Yeah, just going to be another day at the office.

TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century #2 – 1969 – $9.99

Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neil are clearly working on a level that the majority of us would have to spend another four years in school to understand (myself included). That doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy one of the most intellectual books on shelves. I’ve grown quite fond of these characters over the last half-decade, and I appreciate what the creative team is trying to do. I may not get all the references to English literature, but perhaps the book moving into a decade where I’m a bit more familiar with the content will allow me to enjoy it even more.

Atomic Robo is one of my favorite comics of all-time. I love the writing, the art, the characters, the subject matter… I love everything about this book. The best part though, aside from all those things I already mentioned, is that every volume stands on its own, while still following the continuity of the overall story. That means each new volume is just as accessible as the last. I really got a kick out of this volume though, as it shows Robo early in his lifespan, still living with an aging Tesla, while trying to find adventure out in the world. I won’t spoil what happens, but you’ll never look at the battle for AC and DC the same way again.